Mid Massachusetts News

MEN'S BASKETBALL TO OPEN PATRIOT LEAGUE PLAY AGAINST BUCKNELL

The Holy Cross men's basketball team will be back in action for the first time in over a week when it plays host to Bucknell in its Patriot League opener on Friday, Dec. 30, at 2:00 p.m. The game between the Crusaders and the Bison will be shown live by the Patriot League on ESPN+.

Holy Cross enters the game with an overall record of 3-10 on the year. The Crusaders are coming off a 66-62 setback at Sacred Heart on Dec. 22 and will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak. Holy Cross currently ranks second in the Patriot League in steals (7.5 steals per game), while standing fourth in three-point field goal percentage defense (33.3 percent) and turnover margin (-0.4 turnovers per game).

Senior forward Gerrale Gates has led the team by averaging 17.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocked shots per game, in addition to connecting on 49.1 percent of his field goal attempts. Junior guard Bo Montgomery has added 11.8 points, 3.7 boards and 2.5 assists per contest, while junior guard Joe Octave is putting up 10.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Bucknell currently has an overall record of 7-6 on the season. The Bison have dropped two straight and three of their last four games, including an 85-50 loss at Rutgers on Dec. 23. Senior guard Xander Rice has led the team by averaging 15.9 points, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game, while making 40.7 percent of his three-pointers. Junior center Andre Screen has put up 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots per contest, with senior forward Alex Timmerman adding 10.6 points and 6.4 boards per game.

Following the game with the Bison, Holy Cross will travel to Navy for a 1:00 p.m. game on Monday, Jan. 2. 

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